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For fifty years, health care teams have been a misunderstood, undervalued, and neglected part of health care. Yet, as Drinka and Clark make clear, well functioning interdisciplinary health care teams (IHCTs) have the potential to help the health care system face its demons--financial constraints and comprehensive error-free care. Because of misunderstandings, administrators, funders, and policy makers keep the potential for interdisciplinary teams hidden. IHCTs have characteristics and problems that are unique to health care settings and the health providers who work in them. Drinka and Clark present a groundbreaking attempt to develop a comprehensive framework for IHCTs.

Created October 28, 2007 by Sarah M. Lawrence and Michael O'Brien Health care is an increasingly diverse field where many specialties interact to provide patient care. The team approach to caring for patients includes many professionals performing a variety of specialized functions designed to meet the physical, emotional and psychological needs of the patient.

This article touches on a topic of particular interest to me, specifically how APRN's can help fill a critical shortage of primary care providers in HIV medicine. The article validates that APRN's (NP's) are more than capable of providing high quality care to those living with HIV. Moreover, we are well positioned to fill the provider shortage that is only expected to grow over the next decade and beyond.

As NPs, many of us who have not practiced as nurses, it might be difficult to get your foot in the door of that first job. This is a personal strategy that I came up with to try and help mitigate that for myself, I'm obviously hoping that it works! For those of us who know where we want to work, for me that's in HIV medicine, I think it's important to develop the competencies that your employer will be looking for when you walk in the door. This article does a nice job of laying those out for entry level NPs looking to get into HIV medicine. What I'm trying to do is add as many of these skills to my resume while I'm attending school. My hope is that will give me an edge over NPs that I'm competing with who may not have been in the specialty specific time. If you can identify your desired areas of practice then its just a matter of looking for opportunities to add to your skillset. Look for faculty that have a shared interest, see if you can work on a research project with them. Look for nursing organizations in that specialty. There are two HIV specific organizations for APRNs looking to get into HIV medicine (ANAC and AAHIV). Join them and start networking. Take as much CNE as you can in your specialty topic - much of its free and can be done online at your own pace.

Very interesting read. This article provides evidence on why healthcare organizations should hire nurse practitioners based upon the education and training that they receive within their speciality as opposed to their previous RN experience. Many hospitals are struggling with this dilemma: Do we hire the APRN who has previous nursing experience in this area (who is not certified in this area) or do we hire the APRN who is certified to work in this area based on their formal training/education but is a new graduate? This article describes how prior nursing experience with a specific population does not qualify a nurse practitioner to practice without the population-focused education and certificate.

Briefly describes how GNP is no longer continued since 2014, and that GNP can only be renewed by those who already obtained the GNP. AGNP combines both adults and geriatric population. This is ironic because ANCC still recognizes that there are needs for providers who specializes in our geriatric population just like how pediatrics, but they discontinued GNP.

This article looked at the factors that affect the role transition from student to NP. It found a positive relationship when the individual received formal orientation. The study found no difference in those who had prior RN experience and those who did not.

This is just a quick PDF about a new grad NP's transition as a healthcare provider in family medicine. She gives some tips and advice for those who will be going through a similar transition.

I enjoyed this concise description and advice column by a fellow NP who gives an honest account of her struggles and ways to support yourself in the transition from NP student to practicing NP.

This article discusses the transition from RN to an APRN

This article examines the factors that come into play when transitioning from the RN to APRN role.

A recent study of 352 NP conference goers found that NPs who received a formal/structured orientation reported a better role transition experience than those who did not. Interestingly, RN experience was not a significant factor.

Great article on nursing residency programs and the opportunities they provide. BONUS- includes insight from an Emory NP Alum who completed a residency program in Washington!!

Faced with a shortage of primary care doctors, more and more clinics are relying on nurse practitioners to fill the gap. But that creates another gap, in the level of training providers bring to the job. Residency programs--once reserved for physicians--are popping up for nurse practitioners as well.

This article describes the results of a survey conducted of nurse leaders in Latin America and the Caribbean about their perception and knowledge of advance practice nursing. The results show that the majority of nurse leaders recognize a need for APRNS in order to create better access to care, however, the nursing education and legislation in the majority of the countries does not support APRN practices. This is an interesting introduction of APRNs in Latin America and the Caribbean for anyone who has interest of working in these areas.

Pediatric NP's began training in 1965 in order to enhance the role of the pediatric nurse; however, since then PNP's are seeking increased autonomy from MD's in order to work to the full extent of the knowledge and skills. The article describes how PNP's are aptly trained to assess kid's who are abused, exploited, neglected, or need immunizations. As a result, PNP's have a unique role, separate from MD's, to enhance any practice.

Talks about the emotional roller coaster than transitioning can cause but also recognizes that there are resources and they need to be utilized.

This article looks at the evidence to describe what goes on when RNs transition to become FNPs. Transition begins during school- students should be aware of the challenges present in transition and be prepared for them. J Prof Nurs. 2013 Nov-Dec;29(6):350-8. doi: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2012.10.011.

The Mayo clinic offers a form of residency for new grads. Mayo School of Health Sciences educates and prepares allied health professionals. The school enrolls students who excel in academic achievement to become providers of the best care to patients.

This article is about a study that sought to describe the process necessary for a successful transition of the student nurse to a professional, as well as what kind of support system enables this progression. It focused more on what was more likely to aid in a student's success. One of the study's implications was the importance of an overall support system with specific concern for appropriate training for those who provide direct clinical education.

For those who also might be moving to the great state of TEXAS!!

For those who would like to register in New York.

Here is a recent commentary written by two nursing professors from the University of Pennsylvania SON about nurse residency programs. Until reading this article, I was not aware that the IOM recommends residency programs for nurses who complete an advanced practice degree program. Currently, data illustrates that these programs improve practitioner confidence and strengthen NP role identity; however, there is a lack of data showing the impact of these programs on patient outcomes. These professors believe that residences should not be mandated but rather encouraged.

This article shares an experience of an NP in Nevada who had been trying to care for patients in under served areas but was having difficulty finding MDs to sign agreements with in those areas. This inhibited her ability to treat people in need but, thankfully, a new law was passed July 1 that enabled her to treat these people to the full extent her education taught her to, without having to rely on an agreement with an MD. It is important for us to remain aware of our scope of practice but also to fight for our ability to practice to the full extent we're being taught to do.